2 July 2011
We take Dadoo for a walk on the forest road. He loved this stretch, and used to say, ‘Early in the morning a brisk walk brings bounce and vitality.’ Today he is very hyper. Some of this energy will be released in a brisk walk, Rohit thinks.
‘I have a piece of land on the way,’ he says.
‘It is not on this road, Dadoo,’ I hastily reply.
‘I know there is, you do not know. I have a plot somewhere here and another one a little ahead. It has been a long time since I have been here. Now I have forgotten everything,’ he whispers.
I am quiet, so is Rohit. There is no use arguing with him.
‘Rohit, do you know the patwari [village accountant] of this area?’
‘Yes, Daddy.’
‘Ask him to get the details of this land. But what will one patwari do, I have so many plots, they are scattered at different places. For each area there will be a different patwari. You will have to ask each one of them to help you in identification, only then will we get to know the exact details,’ he says seriously.
‘I will get the details,’ Rohit murmurs.
‘I have another plot near the water tanks. It is an amazing plot – totally flat and sunny. It is a first class plot. Let us go there,’ he says excitedly.
‘The tanks are in different direction, we will go there some other time,’ I say exasperated.
‘Okay, then let us see the ones that are on this road. Here if we keep on walking I have a plot ahead of the village. I have at least ten to fifteen plots here in all,’ he says confidently pointing vaguely.
He is scaring me.
‘I have a plot in Shimla too.’
‘Yes, you do,’ I lie.
‘Where is it?’ he asks quickly.
‘Near Tara Devi,’ I sheepishly look at Rohit, he smiles. We have become polished conspirators.
‘Is there a house on that plot?’
‘No, Dadoo, just a plot.’
‘Is it lying unattended?’
‘It is safe, Dadoo, no one has encroached it.’
‘Is it fenced? Is there a boundary wall there?’
‘Yes, Dadoo,’ I sigh.
‘Is it safe?’
‘Yes, Dadoo.’
‘When we go from Solan to Shimla, there is a place on the way and I have a plot there too.’
‘Yes, Dadoo it is in Tara Devi only,’ I say firmly. This is just too much. There is a need to stop this conversation. How much will we lie!
‘No, there is another place, which place is this?’ he persists.
‘Kandaghat.’
‘No, what comes after that?’
‘Shoghi.’
‘Yes, I have a plot there too. I don’t know where else I have plots, I have forgotten. We will have to enquire.’
‘Okay, Dadoo, we will try to locate these,’ I assure him. I am scared, what if he asks me to take him to his plot in Shoghi? Oh God, Ritika – my friend – has a plot there, I will tell him that it belongs to him!